AirShow San Diego Returns to Gillespie Field

Cool airplanes, hot cars, helicopter rides, aerobatic and formation flying, mock aerial battles, pyrotechnics, live music, a Kids’ Zone, food and more will be featured June 20-21 at the annual “AirShow San Diego” at San Diego County’s Gillespie Field in El Cajon.

The airshow, put on annually by Air Group One and formerly known as “Wings Over Gillespie,” has thrilled families and all aviation buffs each year for nearly two decades at the County airport.

This year’s show will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and will include a number of fighter aircraft from that period, including: a Lockheed P-38 Lightning “23 Skidoo,” an aircraft once dubbed the “fork-tailed devil”; a North American B-25 Mitchell bomber; North American P-51 Mustangs; and a Vought F4U Corsair, which featured distinctive inverted gull wings.

Gates will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days: Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21. Discounted, non-refundable tickets are available online at Air Show One’s website. Full price tickets can also be bought at the gate on the days of the event.

Discounted tickets sold before the event are $16 a day for adults and $12 a day for children ages 7 — 11 and seniors 65 and older. Children 6 years old and younger, World War II and Korean War veterans and wounded warriors get in free. Multi-day and discounted group packages for active duty and retired military personnel can also be bought online. Tickets bought at the gate on the days of the event will cost $20 for adults and $15 for children 7-11 and seniors 65 and older.

There will be a $5 parking fee and free shuttle service to and from the Gillespie Field Trolley Station and the main gate.

In addition to the World War II and other aircraft, aerobatic pilot Julie Clarke, the Red Eagles formation flight team and longtime aerobatic favorite John Collver — in “Wardog,” his North American T6-SNJ Texan — will perform.

There will also be classic hot rods and show cars, the free kids’ zone, educational displays, food and beverages, a beer area, opportunity drawings and music.